Jim’s career in wealth management spans more than three decades. He has built a diverse background in pension, tax planning, estate planning, financial planning, and investments. 

His financial experience started with Principal Financial Group where he served as a pension underwriter/pension issue specialist and an analyst at Principal Global Investors from 1995 to 2003. There, he worked with defined contribution plans, including profit sharing, 401(k) profit sharing, and money purchase plans. During his time as an analyst, his most extensive analysis was with oil and gas companies where he had lead coverage of the energy industry, initially with domestic and then branching out to include international companies. 

Jim has earned the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. While he does not currently practice tax or public accounting, he did have his own tax practice for five years before he decided to concentrate on investments. He still uses this background to help clients with their overall financial planning and to tailor investments appropriately to optimize their mix of taxable and tax-deferred/tax-free investments. 

Jim’s academic background includes graduating from the University of Iowa in May of 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting. He also earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Iowa with a finance emphasis in December of 1999. Jim earned his CFA® designation in 2001. 

Jim and his wife Melissa have 2 children, Nicholas and Stephanie. Jim is active in the community. He serves as Treasurer of Central Iowa Shelter & Services and has served on the board of Junior Achievement, the Investment Committee of United Way of Central Iowa, and the Investment Committee of the United Way Emerging Leaders Initiative. He currently volunteers at the University of Iowa, serving as an Investment Advisory Board Member of the University of Iowa Krause Fund.